The VISTA spacecraft: Advantages of ICF (Inertial Confinement Fusion) for interplanetary fusion propulsion applications

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Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) is an attractive engine power source for interplanetary manned spacecraft, especially for near-term missions requiring minimum flight duration, because ICF has inherent high power-to-mass ratios and high specific impulses. We have developed a new vehicle concept called VISTA that uses ICF and is capable of round-trip manned missions to Mars in 100 days using A.D. 2020 technology. We describe VISTA's engine operation, discuss associated plasma issues, and describe the advantages of DT fuel for near-term applications. Although ICF is potentially superior to non-fusion technologies for near-term interplanetary transport, the performance capabilities of VISTA cannot be meaningfully … continued below

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Orth, C.D.; Klein, G.; Sercel, J.; Hoffman, N.; Murray, K. & Chang-Diaz, F. October 2, 1987.

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Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) is an attractive engine power source for interplanetary manned spacecraft, especially for near-term missions requiring minimum flight duration, because ICF has inherent high power-to-mass ratios and high specific impulses. We have developed a new vehicle concept called VISTA that uses ICF and is capable of round-trip manned missions to Mars in 100 days using A.D. 2020 technology. We describe VISTA's engine operation, discuss associated plasma issues, and describe the advantages of DT fuel for near-term applications. Although ICF is potentially superior to non-fusion technologies for near-term interplanetary transport, the performance capabilities of VISTA cannot be meaningfully compared with those of magnetic-fusion systems because of the lack of a comparable study of the magnetic-fusion systems. We urge that such a study be conducted.

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NTIS, PC A02; 3.

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  • 12. symposium on fusion engineering, Monterey, CA, USA, 12 Oct 1987

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  • Other: DE88000417
  • Report No.: UCRL-96676
  • Report No.: CONF-871007-2
  • Grant Number: W-7405-ENG-48
  • Office of Scientific & Technical Information Report Number: 6112845
  • Archival Resource Key: ark:/67531/metadc1105223

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  • October 2, 1987

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  • Feb. 22, 2018, 7:45 p.m.

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Orth, C.D.; Klein, G.; Sercel, J.; Hoffman, N.; Murray, K. & Chang-Diaz, F. The VISTA spacecraft: Advantages of ICF (Inertial Confinement Fusion) for interplanetary fusion propulsion applications, article, October 2, 1987; California. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1105223/: accessed June 8, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.

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